The Dickinson press., 1887-07-09

vantage of him, for his thoughts were not
centered in it. The girl was studying her
next move, and his eyes were fixed intently
upon her face.
"You could beat mo now if you chose" she
said reiectively, "but, Gerald, you are not
attending tonight"
Her left hand was lying upon the table,
and he covered it with his own, with gentle,
protecting gesture.
NO, am not attending" he admitted; 'do
not let US finish the game; want to talk to
you. Rose, have loved you so long. l want
you to reward my patience. l know how
much you cared for Hamilton, but he cam
not now claim you. He died for his country,
and you can revere his memory as much as
my wife as though You We're free. In him
we both lost a dear friend, and We can mourn
for him together. Rose, have pleaded so
often. Give me the right to comfort and pro-
tect You. Dear Rose, let our marriage be rs
private as You please. will even consent to
keep it secret, if you will, till you arc i'll
clined to acknowledge to the world that you
can love another; but, oh! my love, set my
heart at rest after all it has suffered, pray
YOU"
"Oh! hush. Gerald not yet, not yet-do not
urge me" she said in an agitated whisper; Il
90 not know what ails NE: see how trenlble;
feel like a traitor to Hamilton. Please go
OIL with the game; stay. it is my move"
She raised her hand towards the table; and
US she did so her eyes fell upon the faco Of
Gerald Deering. which had suddenly become
absolutely livid She turned, and following
the direction of his intense gaze, saw before
her the Ill N to whom she had been p!ighted
She sprang to her feet, her heart filled with u
wild joy.
Then she hesitated, checked by feeling of
unworthiness, and stood with bent head be-
tween these two men who loved her.
Hamilton Sylvester had heard of her en-
gasement to his rival, but lie looked at her
moro in pity than in anger, while lie extended
his hand and clasped her trembling fingers.
Rose" he said, THAT man left me
wounded OH the battlefield among my enc
mics, having first stripped me of the colols of
my regiment and robbed me of my ring-left
me to die; but l was permitted to live and
expose his dastardly conduct was carried
OIL q prisoner by ono Of the chiefs and de-
tanned until tho war was over, then | was re-
leased They saved my lifc probably he
cause they saw me trying to pass tourni-
quet around my wounded leg with my sash,
Tor my father had taught mo to do such
things. The Zulus were sorely in need of
medical attention, and thinking me to be q
doctor they preserved my life and treated me
well. l did not uM,iccclvo them, and used
such little skill as possessed in helping, their
sic! aEd wounded. | ought to have been re-
ported missing, but that creature lied bluckly
IL" pretended To he my friend He returned
,ae colors OF my regiment to the colonel
nEd showed my ring to my brother
officers, telling them that he had taken
both from my dead body. Rose, will
you grant his request? Will YOU marry
the black hearted villain who left the friend
of his boyhood to die alone upon the battle
tleld that lie might win the girl To whom lie
was pShted, or will you return to your ale
Giance:" aud he drew her nearer to linn.
Scnldng tears ran slowly down her palo
cheeks
"Oh! Ham, Ham, oln not worthy of you,"
she murrrcsi; II should lave married him
III time, for i'll truth believed you dead"
"Thank you, thank you for those wor,,s.'
and pressed it to his lips; and sho recoilcd
from his touch as though ho had been a SER
pcnt
He gave her one long lool, of agony, md n
CLEAN of deadly hatred shot like u lurid flash
from his dark eyes at his rival
The door opened, then shut, and Rose Mild
may and Hamilton Sylvester stood face to
face alone.
Il should have married him in time" She
repeated mournfuly.
"l'erhals; drops of water will weara stone.
Rose, is your love still mine" he asked, as he
fixed his eyes upon hers as though lie would
read her very soul.
have ever loved you more than all the
world, Hamilton" she answered in low
voice Of deep emotion, "and SO l love you
still"
"A glad look beamed in his eyes; the stern
ness deserted his mouth and it softc,led visibly
Hc held out both Ills arms to her.
"ltosic, come homer he almost whispered,
and i'll another moment She was clasped to
his breost.-J. Sale Lloyd in London Society